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Ohio senators speak out against ‘cow tax’

Known as the “cow tax,” a proposal by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would require operations emitting more than 100 tons of GHGs per year to purchase permits to do so. This could potentially include natural emissions from livestock.

The senators have introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 8 into the General Assembly, urging EPA not to implement federal regulation overseeing GHGs from livestock. The resolution also urges Congress to pass federal legislation introduced in March to prevent the government from imposing such a tax on the nation’s farmers and ranchers.

“This recent action by EPA is yet another step down a slippery slope that could result in an unnecessary and burdensome tax on livestock operations in Ohio,” Grendell said in his testimony for the resolution. “Not only would livestock operators face higher operating costs, but food costs would be increased unnecessarily– directly affecting every American’s kitchen table and wallet. The very idea of imposing a cow and pig tax on our farmers and adding one more crushing burden is absurd.”

Ohio Farm Bureau Federation is a member of American Farm Bureau Federation®, a national organization of farmers and ranchers including Farm Bureau® organizations in 49 other states and Puerto Rico, and is responsible for Farm Bureau membership and programs within the State of Ohio. Ohio Farm Bureau Federation programs and services are available only to Farm Bureau members within Ohio. The political views expressed in these pages represent Ohio Farm Bureau Federation's positions on various issues as they relate to Ohio. The positions of the national Farm Bureau organization collectively are expressed through American Farm Bureau Federation. Any opinions, statements or views expressed through comments or by outside contributors are the express views of those individuals and do not necessarily represent the views of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.